When it comes to aviation, memory aids are essential for ensuring safety and accuracy. One widely recognized example is the NWKRAFT acronym, a vital preflight checklist used by pilots in the United States.
Each letter stands for a specific item a pilot must consider before taking off — helping ensure all the boxes are checked for a safe and legal flight.
But what if you’re teaching, training, writing about aviation, or simply trying to understand it better? There are dozens of acronym-based alternatives or related terms that serve similar functions — many of them industry-specific, situational, or built for nuance.
This article breaks down:
- What NWKRAFT stands for
- 30 related aviation acronyms with practical explanations
- How and when to use each based on tone, scenario, and context
- How to select the right checklist for specific flight types or training goals
Let’s begin with the basics.
🧠 What Does NWKRAFT Stand For?
NWKRAFT is a preflight checklist primarily used by VFR (Visual Flight Rules) pilots in the U.S. It ensures that all legal and safety concerns are addressed before a flight.
Here’s the breakdown:
- N – NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen)
- W – Weather
- K – Known ATC Delays
- R – Runway lengths
- A – Alternates (if needed)
- F – Fuel requirements
- T – Takeoff and landing distances
Pilots typically review NWKRAFT before every flight to comply with FAR 91.103 (Preflight Action). However, there are other acronyms tailored to different flight stages, regulations, and aircraft types.
✈️ 30 Aviation Acronyms Like NWKRAFT (and When to Use Them)
Here’s a curated list of 30 useful aviation acronyms, with definitions, examples, and usage guidance:
1. IMSAFE
Meaning: Pilot self-check
Stands for: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion
Example: Before flying, the instructor reminded students to run through IMSAFE.
Use: Personal fitness for flight; ideal for student pilots.
2. PAVE
Meaning: Risk management checklist
Stands for: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures
Example: Using PAVE helped identify hazardous weather conditions.
Use: Scenario-based risk assessment.
3. DECIDE
Meaning: Aeronautical decision-making
Stands for: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate
Example: Pilots use DECIDE when troubleshooting mid-flight issues.
Use: Cognitive process training and real-time decisions.
4. 5P
Meaning: Ongoing risk assessment
Stands for: Plan, Plane, Pilot, Passengers, Programming
Example: He rechecked his 5Ps mid-flight as weather worsened.
Use: In-flight and preflight monitoring.
5. GUMPS
Meaning: Pre-landing checklist
Stands for: Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Prop, Seatbelts/Switches
Example: “GUMPS!” she called out before final approach.
Use: Final approach readiness.
6. CIGAR
Meaning: Before-takeoff engine check
Stands for: Controls, Instruments, Gas, Attitude, Run-up
Example: The student forgot “CIGAR” and missed a fuel setting.
Use: Engine and control prep.
7. ARROW
Meaning: Required aircraft documents
Stands for: Airworthiness, Registration, Radio license, Operating handbook, Weight & balance
Example: The FAA asked to see the ARROW documents.
Use: Compliance and ramp checks.
8. TOMATO FLAMES
Meaning: Day VFR required equipment
Example: Don’t take off in daylight without TOMATO FLAMES checked.
Use: FAR 91.205 compliance.
9. FLAPS
Meaning: Night VFR required equipment
Stands for: Fuses, Landing light, Anti-collision lights, Position lights, Source of power
Example: The instructor reviewed FLAPS before a night solo.
Use: Night flight prep.
10. SAFETY
Meaning: Passenger safety briefing
Example: She gave a full SAFETY briefing before engine start.
Use: Pre-taxi checklist in instructional or commercial ops.
11. WEATHER
Meaning: Alternate to “W” in NWKRAFT; entire weather package.
Example: He pulled up METARs and TAFs to cover the WEATHER section.
Use: VFR and IFR flights.
12. NOTAM
Meaning: Notices to Airmen (now “Air Missions”)
Example: A NOTAM warned of a closed taxiway.
Use: Critical to avoid surprises.
13. ATIS
Meaning: Automatic Terminal Information Service
Example: Tune to ATIS before contacting tower.
Use: Congested airspace awareness.
14. TAF
Meaning: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
Example: The TAF predicted winds above 15 knots.
Use: 24–30 hr forecast accuracy.
15. METAR
Meaning: Meteorological Aerodrome Report
Example: The METAR showed VFR conditions.
Use: Current conditions.
16. AIM
Meaning: Aeronautical Information Manual
Example: AIM guidelines help with radio phraseology.
Use: Study and reference.
17. OPA
Meaning: Observe, Plan, Act
Example: OPA helped him avoid an airspace conflict.
Use: Situational awareness.
18. SAFE
Meaning: Brief checklist for safety and emergency
Stands for: Seatbelts, Air vents, Fire extinguisher, Exit
Example: SAFE was reviewed before taxiing.
Use: Fast and effective passenger briefing.
19. SLOWER
Meaning: Used for stabilized approaches
Stands for: Speed, Lights, Out (gear), Weather, Engine, Radios
Use: Common in training aircraft.
20. FAT PLANS
Meaning: IFR preflight
Stands for: Fuel, Alternates, Traffic delays, Performance, Logs, ATC route, NOTAMs, Safety
Use: More detailed than NWKRAFT for IFR ops.
21. CRAFT
Meaning: IFR clearance format
Stands for: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder
Example: Write down your CRAFT before copying clearance.
Use: For IFR pilots.
22. WASP
Meaning: Weather, Airport, Situation, Plan
Use: Used in scenario-based flight planning.
23. ABCDE
Meaning: Emergency decision-making
Stands for: Airspeed, Best field, Checklist, Declare, Execute
Use: Engine-out scenarios.
24. 3P
Meaning: Perceive, Process, Perform
Example: He applied the 3P model to manage turbulence.
Use: Used in FAA’s risk management framework.
25. STERILE
Meaning: No distraction below 10,000 feet
Use: Commercial flight SOP; ideal for critical phases.
26. FIRE
Meaning: Fire response
Stands for: Fly, Identify, Reach, Extinguish
Use: Engine or electrical fire response.
27. SOAR
Meaning: After-takeoff procedure
Stands for: Speed, Obstacle, Attitude, Radios
Use: VFR climb-out check.
28. RISE
Meaning: Emergency climb
Stands for: Rudder, Idle, Speed, Exit
Use: Engine-out climb drills.
29. CLIMB
Meaning: Post-takeoff task check
Stands for: Checklist, Lights, Instruments, Mixture, Boost pump
Use: Early cruise stage.
30. LEMON
Meaning: Landing brief
Stands for: Lights, Engine, Mixture, Obstruction, Notams
Use: Final approach prep.
🧭 How to Choose the Right Acronym
Choosing the right aviation acronym depends on:
- ✅ Flight type: VFR? IFR? Solo? Commercial?
- ✅ Training level: Use simpler acronyms like IMSAFE or GUMPS for beginners.
- ✅ Checklist stage: NWKRAFT is for preflight; GUMPS is for approach.
- ✅ Emphasis: Risk management? Use PAVE or DECIDE. Performance? Try CIGAR or CLIMB.
- ✅ Cultural setting: U.S. FAA guidelines vs. international ICAO checklists.
✈️ Final Thoughts
Just as NWKRAFT helps pilots stay safe and legally compliant, these 30 acronyms provide memory support, decision-making frameworks, and risk awareness tools across all phases of flight. Think of them as verbal co-pilots—quick, compact, and mission-critical.
Pro tip: Don’t overload your brain mid-air. Pick a few acronyms that fit your aircraft, training level, and operational style—and review them often.
Fly safe, stay sharp, and keep your checklist sharp!